Measuring dispenser



Jan. 22, 1946. J. w. PORTER 2,393,478

MEASURING DISPENSER Filed Dec. 6, 1943 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented 22, 1-946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEASURING DISPENSER John W. Porter, Muskogee, Okla. Application December 6, 1943, Serial No. 513,154 Claims. (Cl. 222-335) The .present invention relates to improvements in dispensing devices and has for an object thereof the provision of an improved device for dispensing measured quantities of soft plastic materials such as tooth paste and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of dispensing means adapted for association with a collapsible container which may be easily squeezed to dispense a charge of the plastic material therefrom.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device having a valve member adapted to maintain an adjusted position in suspension in the plastic therein.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device having a closure cap equipped with a projection adapted to unseat the valve when the cap is fitted in outlet closing position A still further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing device of the aforesaid character which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent as the description prograsses.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view or a container partly in section to show the dispensing means associated therewith and the cap in closing position,

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating the device in dispensing arrangement,

Figure 3.is a side elevational view of the cap detached from the container, and

Figure 4 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating a modified form of the device.

Referring to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred example of the invention, A generally designates the container, in the present example in the form of a device having a collapsible tubular body closed at one end and having a frusto-conical end wall ill at the opposite end. At the center of the end wall I0 is formed an exteriorly threaded longitudinally projecting neck il defining a cylindrical centrally disposed and constricted outlet passage l2. As shown in the drawing, with the discharge end of the tube lowermost the interior surface of the end wall Ill slopes downwardly from its juncture with the body wall to the outlet passage I2 to form an annular seat It at the inner or top end of the passage.

Within the bottom or discharge end portion of the container A is positioned a valve it, in the present example in the form of a spherical element of a diameter substantially exceeding that of the outlet passage H for seating on the annular seat l3 to completely close the outlet. This spherical valve may be constructed of plastic or other suitable material having a density or specific gravity substantially corresponding to that of the material in the container.

The outlet of the container is normally closed by means of a cap generally indicated as C which may embody a flat disk shaped body portion it formed at one side with a cylindrical interiorly threaded flange l6 adapted for screw connection upon the neck ii. 0n the inner side of the cap body l5, centrally thereof and the flange it is provided a projection which, in the preferred form of the invention shown at Figures to 3 am bodies a frusto-conical stem l'i having a diminishing taper outwardly of the cap body and a flattened outer end tip it. This stem may be formed integral with or secured to the cap.

When the cap 0 is fitted in closing position on the neck of the container the tip end of the stem engages the valve l5 and forces the same inwardly from its seat and, due t the relatively small area of the tip end i8 and the resistance of the material in the container has a tendency to move the valve toward one side as shown at Figure 1. In order to remove the valve from its seat the stem l! is of a length greater than that of the discharge outlet or the distance from the inner side of the cap body to the seat l3, the actual overall length depending upon the nature of the material and the quantity to be dispensed during each charge. In its open position the valve is held in suspension in the plastic substance and is moved therewith during discharge to assume seated outlet closing position when the predetermined charge is forced from the container through the discharge outlet.

In a modified construction of the device, illustrated at Figure 4, the projection or stem indicated at is, is of cylindrical form providing an end face 20 of substantially increased area with relation to the tip face l8 with the result that the valve is moved inward upon and maintains a position substantially upon the axis of the body.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material,

in suspension in the contents of the container removed from the passage when it is closed by the cap.

mally closing the outer end of the passage, to retain the contents therein, of a ball valve formed of a material having substantially the same specific gravity as the contents of the container the valve in suspension in the contents removed from the passage.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the element projecting from the cap comprises a frusto-conical stem taperingly reduced outwardly from the cap in a relative length suflicientto project inwardly of the outlet passage when the cap is in closing position.

4. The device claimed in claim 2 wherein the element projecting from the cap is in the form of a cylindrical stem of a length to project into the container inwardly of the outlet passage when the cap is in closing position.

5. A measuring device for a dispensing container having an opening through which the contents passes from the container, comprising a body having substantially the same specific gravity as the contents of the container to be held in suspension by the contents and to move with the contents toward the opening, the size of the body being such with reference to the opening that the body will be moved into closing position with respect to the opening as the contents is dispensed.

JOHN W. PORTER. 

